The rigid policy that proved of value
in times of crisis was to be continued. The sans-culottes agitated
the masses which led to the occupation of the Convention in September
1793. The Convention felt impelled
to give in to the sansculottes’ demands and emphasized the necessity
of a «revolutionary terror» to secure the state: The Committee of
Public Safety established the
maximum legal prices of grain what
made the peasants sell their goods
below value. The right of ownership
was curtailed, expropriations were
made. The tribunals set off to begin
their cataclysmic work. They convicted the «Feulliants» in the
first phase and later the members
of the middle-class – the «Girondists». The liberal interests culminated in the self-confidence of the citizens who were not
about to support the sanctions.
After the dangers were put down
successfully, a radical agitation
was no longer appropriate, but the
desire for a consequent equalization caused the Committee of
Public Safety, chaired by the
advocate Robespierre, to continue the violent policy. Remaining in power and self-assurance were the primary maxim of
action. The political conviction
of the involved was secondary.
The government liquidated opponents whose opinions were radical-democratic («Cordeliers»)
and liberal. A failed assault
on Robespierre gave reason to
intensify the terror between 10th
June and 27th August in 1794.